Novel enclosures for automatic bathroom flushers

ABSTRACT

A bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, an electronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher body includes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate the valve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat providing a sealing action based on applied pressure on the valve assembly. The bathroom flusher also includes an external cover designed for enclosing an electronic control module comprising a battery, a sensor, and an actuator for controlling operation of the flush valve, wherein the external cover includes at least two cover parts separately removable, and wherein the external cover is attachable with respect to the valve body in a manner also allowing removable attachment of the control module.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/716,546, filed on Mar. 9, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/783,701, filed on Feb. 20, 2004, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,188,822, which claims priority, from U.S. Provisional Application60/448,995, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, both of which are incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions are directed to automatic bathroom flushershaving modular design and methods of operating and servicing suchflushers. The present inventions are also directed to a novel flushercover enabling easy servicing and adjustments and optional optimaloperation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatic bathroom flushers have become increasingly prevalent,particularly in public restrooms, both for flushing toilets and urinals.Such flushers contribute to hygiene, facility cleanliness and waterconservation.

There are several types of tankless bathroom flushers on the marketincluding flushers supplied by Sloan Valve Company, for example, sold asROYAL® or GEM® flush valves. ROYAL® flush valves may be manuallyoperated, or automatically operated using OPTIMA® controllers andinfrared sensors. In general, bathroom flushers receive a pressurizedwater supply at an input and provide flush water at an output during aflush cycle. The flush cycle provides a predetermined amount of water(depending on the external water pressure) even though there is no watertank.

In manual flushers, users initiate a flushing cycle by displacing ahandle that controls a flushing mechanism including a piston or aflexible diaphragm. The handle movement causes a water leak from acontrol or pilot chamber to the flusher's output, which lowers pressurein the pilot chamber. Due to the lower pressure, the external waterpressure lifts the flusher's piston or diaphragm from a valve seatthereby enabling water flow. The stroke of the piston or diaphragmcontrols the volume of water passing through the flush valve. After sometime, the pressure in the pilot chamber increases (through a controlpassage) forcing the piston or diaphragm onto the valve seat and thusterminating the water flow.

In automatic flushers, an object sensor initiates the flushing cycle,where an actuator opens a relief passage enabling water flow from thepilot chamber to the flusher's output. This flow lowers pressure in thepilot chamber. Due to the lower pressure, as mentioned above, theexternal pressure lifts the flusher's piston or diaphragm from a valveseat thereby enabling main water flow used for flushing. After theactuator seals the relief passage, the pressure in the pilot chamberincreases forcing the piston or diaphragm onto the valve seat and thusclosing the water flow. Manual flush valves (e.g., ROYAL® flush valves)may be converted into automatically operated valves using a controllerand sensor unit, sold under the name OPTIMA® by Sloan Valve Company.Overall, the flush valves supplied by Sloan Valve Company are durable,highly reliable, and suitable for long-term operation.

There is, however, a need for improved automatic flushers due to a highdemand for flushers and their need in thousands of restrooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The described inventions are directed to automatic bathroom flushershaving modular design, and methods for operating and servicing suchflushers. The present inventions are also directed to a novel flushercover enabling easy servicing and adjustments and optional optimaloperation.

According to one aspect, the present invention is a bathroom flusher.The bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, anelectronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher bodyincludes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate thevalve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and theoutlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respectto a valve seat providing a sealing action based on applied pressure onthe valve assembly.

According to another aspect, an automatic toilet room flush valveincludes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve seatinside the body. The flush valve also includes a valve member (i.e., aflush valve mechanism) and an external cover. The valve member iscooperatively arranged with the valve seat, wherein the valve member isconstructed and arranged to control water flow between the inlet and theoutlet. The movement of the valve member between open and closedpositions is controlled by water pressure inside a pilot chamber. Theexternal cover is designed for enclosing an electronic control modulecomprising a battery, a sensor, and an actuator for controllingoperation of the flush valve, wherein the external cover includes atleast two cover parts separately removable, and the external cover isattachable with respect to the valve body in a manner also allowingremovable attachment of the control module.

Preferred embodiments of the above aspects include one or more of thefollowing features: The external cover includes main cover body, a frontcover and a top cover. The front cover includes an optical window,wherein the sensor is an optical sensor geometrically aligned with theoptical window. The main cover body provides overall rigidity to theexternal cover. The individual cover parts of the external cover enableseparate servicing and replacement of the cover parts.

The sensor may be an optical sensor and the sensor window is an opticalwindow. Alternatively, the sensor includes an ultrasonic sensor or aheat sensor designed to detect body heat. Alternatively, the sensor is anear-infrared sensor that detects optical radiation in the range ofabout 800 nm to about 1500 nm. Alternatively, the sensor is a presencesensor. Alternatively, the sensor is a motion sensor.

The top cover is removable while maintaining the front cover, includinga sensor window located in place with respect to the main cover body.The flush valve is further constructed to adjust detection sensitivityof the sensor while maintaining the optical window located on the maincover body.

The top cover may include at least one side surface designed forfacilitating removal of the top cover. The top cover is attached withrespect to the valve body using at least one screw, wherein tighteningof the at least one screw attaches the main cover body, the front cover,and the top cover to a pilot cap defining the pilot chamber and attachedto the valve body.

The external cover may include a vent passage for venting water frominside the external cover. The top cover includes a button constructedto move between upper and lower positions and designed for manuallytriggering a flush cycle when pushed to the lower position. The movablebutton includes a magnet co-operatively arranged with a reed sensorcapable of providing a signal to a microcontroller.

The flush valve further includes a removable element (such as a plasticstrip, a pin, or a tape) designed for shipping and storage, wherein theremovable element is positioned to retain the button in the lowerposition when assembling the top cover.

The flush valve may include a piston, or a flexible diaphragm. Theflexible diaphragm includes a centrally located passage connecting therelief passage and the outlet, wherein the flexible diaphragm isretained with respect to the valve body by a pressure cap defining thepilot chamber. The flush valve may include a bypass orifice in thediaphragm connecting the inlet with the pressure chamber, the orificehaving a cross section area smaller than that of the passage.

According to yet another aspect, in an automatic toilet flush valveincluding a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve assembly in thebody constructed and arranged to open and close water flow from theinlet to the outlet upon actuation signals provided by an electronicsystem to an actuator. The automatic flush valve includes a pressure capdefining a pilot chamber in communication with the output via a reliefpassage controlled by the actuator receiving drive signals from theelectronic system. An external cover is mounted next to the pressure capand is constructed to provide housing for the electronic system. Thecover includes an external flow passage for water flow from inside tooutside of the cover.

According to yet another aspect, in an automatic toilet flush valveincluding a body having an inlet and an outlet, there is a valveassembly located in the body and constructed and arranged to open andclose water flow from the inlet to the outlet upon actuation signalsprovided by an electronic system to an actuator. The automatic flushvalve includes a pressure cap defining a pilot chamber in communicationwith the output via a relief passage controlled by the actuator. Theautomatic flush valve also includes a sensor, as part of the electronicsystem, constructed to detect a user located in front of the flush valveand designed to provide control signals to the electronic system, theelectronic system being constructed to provide drive signals to theactuator. An external cover is mounted above the pressure cap and isconstructed to provide housing for the electronic system. The externalcover is designed cooperatively with the electronic system to enablesensitivity adjustment of the sensor without removal of the cover'ssensor window.

Preferred embodiments of the above aspects include one or more of thefollowing features: The sensor includes an infrared sensor or anultrasonic sensor or a heat sensor. The sensor includes a presencesensor or a motion sensor.

The cover is mounted above the pressure cap. The valve assembly includesa flexible diaphragm fixed relative to the pressure cap, wherein thevalve assembly includes a vent passage in the flexible diaphragm incommunication with the pilot chamber, being controllably sealable by theactuator.

The vent passage includes a flexible member extending between a pilotchamber cap and the vent passage in the flexible diaphragm, wherein theflexible member includes a seal remaining stationary during movement ofthe flexible diaphragm between open and closed positions of the flushvalve. The flexible member is a hollow tube. The hollow tube may includea spring positioned therein. The spring may be a coiled wire.

The actuator may be an isolated actuator. The valve assembly may includea filter for filtering water passing toward the actuator. The filter maybe attached to the flexible diaphragm.

According to yet another aspect, a method for converting a manuallyoperated flush valve to an automatic flush valve includes providing amanually operated flush valve including a flush valve mechanism locatedwithin a valve body constructed and arranged to control water flowbetween a water inlet and a water outlet, a manual handle mechanicallycoupled to the valve mechanism and constructed to operate the valvemechanism upon pivotable displacement. The method also includes closingan external water supply to the valve body, removing the manual handleand sealing a manual handle port, and removing an external cover abovethe valve body, wherein the external cover retained the flush valvemechanism. Then, the method includes attaching to the body an externalcover that includes at least two separately removable cover parts, wherethe external cover is attachable to the valve body by attaching theremovable control module and opening the external water supply to enablewater flow to the valve body.

Preferably, the method includes subsequently adjusting the sensitivityof the sensor while maintaining the optical window of the cover inplace, as designed for standard operation.

According to yet another aspect, a method for servicing an automatictoilet room flush valve includes providing an automatic toilet roomflush valve including a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; avalve seat inside the body; a valve member cooperatively arranged withthe valve seat, the valve member being constructed and arranged tocontrol water flow between the inlet and the outlet, movement of thevalve member between open and closed positions being controlled by waterpressure inside a pilot chamber; and an external cover designed forenclosing a battery, a sensor and an actuator for controlling operationof the flush valve. The servicing method then includes removing aportion of the external cover while maintaining in place a sensor windowincluded in the external cover, wherein the sensor window iscooperatively arranged with the sensor and adjusting sensitivity of thesensor while maintaining the sensor window in place as designed forregular operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic bathroom flusher used forflushing a toilet or a urinal.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front view and a top view of the bathroom flushershown in FIG. 1, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bathroom flusher shown in FIG. 1,having a flusher cover removed.

FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded view of the flusher cover shown inFIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 and 3A are cross-sectional views of the flusher mainlyillustrating an electronic control module and a solenoid actuatorlocated inside of the flusher cover.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main body of the flusher cover shownin FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective, upside down view of the main body shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the main body shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover mainbody shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5 and 5A are a front view and a perspective inside view of a frontcover removed from the flusher cover, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a top cover without a button shown inFIG. 2A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a button retainer cooperativelydesigned to receive the button that is included in the top cover shownin FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alignment plate designed to receivethe electronic control module shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the alignment plate shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic bathroom flusher forflushing toilets or urinals. An automatic bathroom flusher 10 includes aflusher body 12 coupled to a water supply line 14 and also coupled to awater output line 16 providing output to the connected toilet or urinal.Bathroom flusher body 12 is also coupled to a manual port 18, which isused for manual embodiments only. The manual embodiments are describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,778,023; 5,881,993; 5,295,655, all of which areincorporated by reference for explanation and better understanding, butare not part of the present invention. The manual flush valves may beconverted to automatic flushers using the modules described below. Inthe automatic flusher design, manual port 18 is closed off using a cap19 coupled to port 18 using a lock ring 17. FIGS. 1A and 1B are therespective front and top views of bathroom flusher 10 assembled foroperation.

Automatic bathroom flusher 10 also includes an external flusher cover 20enclosing electronic control module 25, shown in FIG. 2. Externalflusher cover 20 is preferably a dome-like outer cover specificallydesigned for protection and easy servicing of control module 25. Flushercover 20 also includes a manual override button 156 used to override theflusher's sensor (e.g., an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, acapacitive sensor, a heat sensor or a passive near infrared sensor).Furthermore, flusher cover 20 is designed to protect control module 25in case of water leaks, as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, flusher cover 20 includes a main cover body100, a front cover 130, and a top cover 150. The entire flusher cover 20is secured in place with respect to the flusher body using an attachmentring 22 connecting a pilot cap 34 to flusher body 12 (FIG. 3).Electronic control module 25 is positioned onto an alignment plate 28,which defines the module's position and orientation with respect to thefront of the flusher. Electronic control module 25 includes electronicelements that control the entire operation of flusher 10, including asensor and a microcontroller for execution of a detection and flushingalgorithm. The microcontroller provides signals to a solenoid driverthat in turn provides drive signals to a solenoid actuator 40 (FIG. 3).Solenoid actuator 40 controls the operation of the flush valve assemblythat opens and closes water flow from input 14 to output 16. Thefollowing description describes this in more detail.

FIGS. 3 and 3A are cross-sectional views illustrating flusher 10including electronic control module 25 and solenoid actuator 40, alllocated inside of external cover 20 (FIG. 2). FIGS. 3 and 3A alsopartially illustrate the top part of flusher body 12 designed to receivethe flush valve assembly including a flexible diaphragm 50, and adiaphragm feed-though assembly (which is described, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,382,586 and 5,244,179 both of which are incorporated byreference). Electronic control module 25 includes a plastic housing 26for enclosing batteries, electronic circuitry and a sensor. Preferably,the sensor is an optical sensor that has a light source (i.e., atransmitter) and/or a light detector (i.e., a receiver) operating in thevisible to infrared range. Alternatively, the sensor is an ultrasonicsensor or an infrared body heat detector.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the flushing assembly includespressure cap (pilot chamber cap) 34, flexible diaphragm 50, and apressure relief assembly coupled to solenoid actuator 40. Flexiblediaphragm 50 separates an annular entrance chamber 30 from pilot chamber35, both being located within valve body 12, wherein a bleed passage 52provides communication between the two chambers. The pressure reliefassembly includes a piloting button 38 coupled to an input passage 37and an output passage 39 located inside a top part 36 of pilot cap 34.

As described in the PCT application PCT/US02/38758, which isincorporated by reference, piloting button 38 is screwed onto the distalpart of actuator 40 to create a valve. Specifically, the plunger ofactuator 40 acts onto the valve seat inside piloting button 38 tocontrol water flow between passages 37 and 43. This arrangement providesa reproducible and easily serviceable closure for this solenoid valve.Co-operatively designed with piloting button 38 and actuator 40, thereare several O-rings that provide tight water seals and preventpressurized water from entering the interior of cover 20. The O-ringsalso seal piloting button 38 within the chamber inside the top part 36and prevent any leakage through this chamber into the bore whereactuator 40 is partially located. It is important to note that theseseals are not under compression. The seat member precisely controls thestroke of the solenoid plunger as mentioned above. It is desirable tokeep this stroke short to minimize the solenoid power requirements.

Inside cover 20, electronic control module 25 is positioned on alignmentplate 28, which in turn is located in contact with pilot chamber cap 34.Plate 28 includes an opening 201 (FIGS. 7 and 7A) designed toaccommodate top part 36 of pilot cap 34. Electronic control module 25includes two circuit boards with control electronics (includingpreamplifiers and amplifiers for operating the above-mentioned opticalsensor), a solenoid driver, and batteries 82A, 82B, 82C and 82D, all ofwhich are located inside plastic housing 26. The light source associatedwith electronic control module 25 is coupled to an output lens 70providing light path for the emitted light. A receiver lens 72 focusesreceived light onto a light detector also located inside plastic housing26. The operation of the light source and detector and the entirecontrol electronics is described in the PCT application PCT/US02/38758.Another embodiment of the optical sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,212,697, which is incorporated by reference.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 3A, supply line 14 communicates withentrance chamber 30 defined by valve body 12 and a chamber wall 48formed near the upper end of flush output 16. Flexible diaphragm 50 isseated on a main valve seat 56 formed by the mouth of flush output 16,and has a circularly-shaped outer edge 54 located in contact with theperiphery of pilot chamber cap 34. Retaining ring 22 clamps pilotchamber cap 34 at its periphery 32 with respect to flusher body 12,wherein outer edge 54 of diaphragm 50 is also clamped between periphery32 and flusher body 12.

In the open state, the water supply pressure is larger in entrancechamber 30 than water pressure in pilot chamber 35, thereby unseatingthe flexible diaphragm 50. When flexible diaphragm 50 is lifted off fromseat 56, supply water flows from supply line 14, through the entrancechamber 30 by valve seat 56 into flush conduit 16. In the closed state,the water pressure is the same in entrance chamber 30 and in pilotchamber 35 since the pressure is equalized via bleed hole 52. Thepressure equalization occurs when went passage 37 is closed by theplunger of solenoid actuator 40. Then, water pressure in the upper,pilot chamber 35 acts on a larger surface and thus exerts greater forceon diaphragm 50 from above than the same pressure within entrancechamber 30, which acts on a smaller, lower surface of diaphragm 50.Therefore, diaphragm 50 ordinarily remains seated on seat 56 (whenpassage 37 is closed for some time and the pressure equalizationoccurs).

To flush the toilet, solenoid-operated actuator 40 relieves the pressurein pilot chamber 35 by permitting fluid flow between pilot entrancepassage 37 and exit passage 43. The time it takes for the chamber torefill is determined by the stroke of the diaphragm. Furthermore,actuator 40 controls the pressure release time (i.e., time for ventingpilot chamber 35), which in turn determines the time during which theflush valve is open for water to pass. Both actuator 40 and the strokeof the diaphragm assembly control the duration of the flush (for aselected size of bleed passage 52) and thus, the volume of water passingthrough the flush valve. In many regions with a limited water supply, itis very important to closely control the volume of water that passesthrough the flush valve each time the flusher is operated. Variousgovernments have passed different regulations defining what water flowis permitted through a flush valve in commercial washrooms. A noveldesign of the actuator and the control electronics can deliver arelatively precise amount of flush water, as described in PCTapplications PCT/US02/38758 or PCT/US02/41576, both of which areincorporated by reference.

The design of actuator 40 and actuator button 38 is important forreproducible, long-term operation of flusher 10. Actuator 40 may haveits plunger directly acting onto the seat of actuator button 38, forminga non-isolated design where water comes in direct contact with themoving armature of the solenoid actuator. This embodiment is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,516 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,662, both of which areincorporated by reference. Alternatively, actuator 40 may have itsplunger enclosed by a membrane acting as a barrier for external waterthat does not come in direct contact with the armature (and the linearlymovable armature is enclosed in armature fluid. In this isolatedactuator embodiment, the membrane is forced onto the seat of actuatorbutton 38, in the closed position. This isolated actuator, includingbutton 38 is described in detail in PCT application PCT/US 01/51098,which is incorporated by reference.

In general, solenoid actuator 40 includes a bobbin having magneticallywound electrical windings, and an armature linearly movable within thebobbin. The latching versions of the actuator include a ferromagneticpole piece magnetically coupled to a permanent magnet acting against anarmature spring. The permanent magnet is arranged for latching thearmature in the open state. The armature spring maintains the armaturein the extended position (i.e., the closed position with the plungerpreventing flow through passage 37). To flush the toilet, themicrocontroller provides a control signal to a drive circuit thatprovides current to the solenoid windings of actuator 40. The drivecurrent generates a magnetic field that tends to concentrate in a fluxpath in the ferromagnetic armature and the pole pieces as described inthe PCT Application PCT/US01/51098. The latching actuator (i.e.,bistable actuator) requires no current to keep the valve open.

In the non-latching versions, there is no permanent magnet to hold thearmature in the open position, so a drive current must continue to flowif the pilot valve is to remain open (i.e., the drive current is neededto hold the plunger away from the pilot seat allowing flow throughpassage 37). The pilot valve can be closed again by simply removing thecurrent drive. To close the pilot valve in the latching actuator, on theother hand, current must be driven through the windings in the reversedirection so that the resultant magnetic field counters thepermanent-magnet field that the actuator experiences. This allows thearmature spring to re-seat the plunger of actuator 40 in a position inwhich the spring force is again greater than the magnetic force. Then,the actuator will remain in the pilot-valve-closed position when currentdrive is thereafter removed.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, external cover 20 is designed for optimaloperation and easy servicing of automatic flusher 10. Main cover body100 provides overall protection and rigidity. Front cover 130 and topcover 150 have complementary shapes with main body 100 to form adome-like structure and to enable easy disassembly (as shown in FIG. 2Aby the exploded view). The main body 100, front cover 130 and top cover150 fit together like a simple three-dimensional puzzle. In a preferredembodiment, these elements have surfaces arranged to provide a tightwater seal. As also shown in FIG. 2A, screws 160A and 160B hold in placetop cover 150 by tightening against the respective cooperating threads30A and 30B located in pilot cap 34. Screws 160A and 160B includerespective heads 163A and 163B (FIG. 3A) optionally designed for aunique, custom made wrench (or a screw driver head) that preventsunauthorized removal. This arrangement holds in place and attachestogether main cover 100 with front cover 130 and top cover 150, whichare all coupled to the pilot chamber cover 34. This arrangement alsoholds control module 25 and plate 28 in place with respect to pilot cap34, which in turn is attached to flusher body 12 by a retaining ring 22.

FIGS. 4 and 4A are perspective views of main cover body 100. Main body100 includes a side and rear surface 102 (which has an approximatelycylindrical shape), a top surface 104, and an elliptical abuttingsurface 106 cooperatively arranged with surface 142 of front cover 130shown in FIG. 5A. Main body 100 also includes an upper side abuttingsurface 107 cooperatively arranged with the corresponding surface of topcover 150 shown in FIG. 2A. Main body 100 also includes holes 112A and112B cooperatively arranged with the respective screw guides 114A and114B for screws 160A and 160B (FIG. 2A) extending from top cover 150 tothe respective threaded holes 30A and 30B in pilot cover 34 (FIG. 3A).To attach front cover 130 to main body 100, main body 100 includes slots110A and 110B cooperatively arranged with lip surfaces 138A and 138Blocated on the inner side of front cover 130. The rectangular lipsurfaces 138A and 138B uniquely define the relative position of mainbody 100 and front cover 130 and provide relative rigidity.

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, main body 100 includes a dividerelement 118 dividing light sensor opening 120 into two parts. The outerside of divider 118 includes a light barrier 119, which preventscross-talk between source lens 70 and receiver lens 72. The top innersurface 116 of main body 100 is cooperatively arranged with structuralalignment elements 140 located on the inside of front cover 130 (FIG.5A). When assembled, opening 120 is cooperatively arranged with anoptical window 132 included in the front surface of front cover 130.

As mentioned above, the optical sensor includes a light source thatemits infrared radiation focused by lens 70 through optical window 132.If there is an object nearby, a portion of the emitted radiation isreflected back toward optical window 132. Lens 72 collects and providesa portion of the reflected radiation to the receiver. The receiverprovides the corresponding signal to the microcontroller that controlsthe entire operation of the flush valve.

FIG. 4C shows another embodiment of external cover 20 having a maincover body 100A designed for use with front cover 130 and top cover 150.Main cover body 100A has a modified opening 120A used, for example, foran infrared sensor. The infrared sensor is an optical sensor that doesnot include a light source, but only an infrared detector that sensesbody heat through optical window 132. Since, in this embodiment, thereis no light source, there is no need for divider element 118, whichprevents cross-talk between the emitted and detected radiation in theembodiment of FIG. 4A.

Importantly, the material of dome cover 20 is selected to provideprotection for electronic control module 25 and actuator 40. Cover 20 isformed of a plastic that is durable and is highly resistant to thechemicals frequently used in washrooms for cleaning purposes. Thematerials are also highly impact resistant (depending on the type ofinstallation, i.e., public or private) so as to resist attempts ofvandalism. Furthermore, flusher cover 20 is designed to replace maincover body 100, front cover 130, or a top cover 150 in cases ofvandalism without closing the water supply or removing electroniccontrol module 25. Furthermore, electronic control module 25 may bereplaced without closing the water supply.

Main body 100 can alternatively be made of a non-corrosive metal(instead of plastic), while front cover 130 or top cover 150 are stillmade of plastic. It has been found that polysulfone is a highlydesirable plastic material for this purpose. Front cover 130 includeswindow 132 and can also be made of a polysulfone plastic that does notimpede or interfere with the transmission of infrared signals from thesensor. Preferably, window 132 masks or obscures the interior elementsin flush valve 10. Preferably, a pigment is added to the polysulfone sothat approximately 70 percent of visible light at all wavelengths willpass through window 132 and approximately 30 percent will be impeded. Apigment made by Amoco bearing spec number BK1615 provides a dark (notquite-black), deep lavender window 132, which obscures the interiorcomponents, but yet permits transmission of a very substantial portionof light at the used wavelengths. Window 132 is usually made of the samematerial as other portions of front cover 130, but may be more highlypolished in contrast with the somewhat matte finish of the remainingportions of front cover 130. In general, window 132 is made of materialsuitable for the selected type of the flusher sensor.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, main body 100 is shaped to provide most ofthe enclosure function of cover 20 including structural support forfront cover 130 and top cover 150. Front cover 130 includes opticalsensor window 132, a wall member 134, top region 136 and lips or slides138A and 138B comparatively arranged with grooves 110A and 110B, whichare located in the main body 100. After front cover 130 is attached tomain body 100 using the lips or slides 138A and 138B, top cover 150 isplaced on the top surface 116 of main body 100. Referring also to FIG.6, top cover 150 includes a curved top surface 158 cooperativelyarranged with a button retainer 170 (FIG. 6A) and a button 156 insidehole 162. Top cover 150 also includes side surfaces 154A and 154B, whichare functionally important for lifting top cover 150 (after looseningscrews 160A and 160B) without any tools.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7A, alignment plate 28 includes front alignmentposts 204A and 204B, rear alignment posts 206A and 206B, screw holes208A and 208B, a communication opening 201, and a vent passage 210. Ventpassage 210 is cooperatively designed with water passage 128 (FIG. 4B)located in the rear of main body 100. In the case of an unlikelymalfunction, there may be a water leak, (for example, between passages37 and 43) which could create water flow into cover 20. Water passage128 prevents water accumulation inside the flusher cover 20 and thusprevents flooding and possible damage to electronic module 25. Waterpassage 128, however, does not allow significant water flow from outsideto inside of cover 20 (e.g., from the top or the side of cover 20 duringcleaning). This is achieved by the shaped surface of passage 128 and thecooperatively designed passage 201. According to another embodiment,cover 20 is designed to withstand high pressure cleaning, while stillproviding vent passage 128.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 6A, top cover 150 includes main buttonopening 162, a button insert guide 170 (shown enlarged in FIG. 6A), andtwo screw holes 164A and 164B. Top cover 150 also includes a top surface152, two side surfaces 154A and 154B, and a raised surface 158 leadingtoward an opening 162 for top button 156. Top cover 150 also includesinner alignment surfaces 166 and 168 cooperatively arranged withsurfaces 176, 178, 178A and 178B, located on button guide 170. Buttoninsert guide 170 is constructed and arranged to provide a uniformmovement of top button 156, which displaces vertically a magnet locatedinside a cylindrical region 180.

Top cover 150 is designed for accommodating a manual flush and savingbatteries (and other electronic elements) during shipping and storage.The manual flush is performed by pressing on top button 156. The savingmode is achieved by holding down top button 156 in the depressedposition using a shipping and storage strip 155, as described below. Topbutton 156 is designed cooperatively with button insert guide 170.Button insert guide 170 includes cylindrical region 180 designed for amagnet 181 that is displaced up and down by the movement of button 156.Magnet 181 is cooperatively arranged with a reed sensor 95 locatedinside electronic control module 25.

When depressing button 156, reed sensor 95 registers magnet 181 andprovides a signal to the microcontroller that in turn initiates a flushcycle, as described in PCT Application PCT/US02/38758, which isincorporated by reference. Upon releasing button 156, button spring 190(FIGS. 3 and 3A) pushes button 156 to its upper position, and therebyalso displaces magnet 181. In the upper position, magnet 181 is nolonger sensed by reed sensor 95 (FIG. 3A). The uniform linear movementof button 156 is achieved by using a bail wire 192 in cooperation withspring 190 (FIG. 3A).

Importantly, cover 20 is designed to service automatic flusher 10without disconnecting the water supply provided via input line 14, orremoving retaining ring 22. Top cover 156 can be removed by looseningscrews 160A and 160B and lifting top cover 150, as shown in FIG. 2A.Upon lifting top cover 150, front cover 130 may be removed by a slidingupward motion facilitated by grooves 110A and 110B in main body 100.Furthermore, upon removing screws 160A and 160B, the entire cover 20 canbe lifted and electronic control module 25 can be accessed. This enablesservicing or replacing electronic control module 25 while actuator 40still remains in place and provides a seal to the external water supply.For example, batteries 82A, 82B, 82C, and 82D may be replaced byremoving a screw 80 and a back cover 81 (FIG. 3) to slide the batteriesout of body 26 (FIG. 2). After the batteries are replaced, cover 81 isattached back to cover 26 and screw 80 is tightened. Thus, the batteriesmay be replaced by untrained personnel without any need to call aplumber and closing the external water supply.

Importantly, external cover 20 is designed to adjust the sensitivity ofthe optical sensor while keeping optical window 132 in place.Specifically, after removing screws 160A and 160B the top cover 150 maybe removed by holding side surfaces 154A and 154B. The side surfaces154A and 154B are designed and arranged for easy removal by fingers ofuntrained personnel without any need of using a specialized tool. Afterlifting top cover 150, the top opening in main body 100 provides anaccess port to an adjustment screw 90 (FIG. 3). Adjustment screw 90 iscoupled to an element on a circuit board 92.

A person adjusting the sensitivity of the optical sensor removes topcover 150 and also removes a seal cover 88 located on the top ofcontroller housing 26. Below seal cover 88, there is the head of screw90, which can be turned in the positive or negative direction toincrease or decrease sensitivity of the optical sensor while maintainingfront cover 130 and optical window 132 in place. Specifically, accordingto a preferred embodiment, screw 90 adjusts the resistance value of acurrent limiting resistor that is connected to the light source. Byturning in the positive direction the resistance decreases and the lightsource receives a higher drive current to increase the emitted lightintensity. Thus, the sensitivity of the optical sensor (or an infraredsensor or an ultrasonic sensor) is adjusted under the actual conditionsof operation. After the adjustment, seal cover 88 is pushed back ontohousing 26 to provide a seal, and top cover 150 is again attached tomain cover 100 using screws 160A and 160B.

Importantly, top cover 150 also includes shipping and storage strip 155(FIG. 2), which is used to maintain a “sleep” mode. Plastic strip 155 isplaced and assembled together with button 156 to act against the springaction of spring 190 and hold button 156 in the depressed position.While keeping button 156 in the depressed position, magnet 181 is beingsensed by reed sensor 95, which in turn provides a signal to themicrocontroller. Upon receiving a continuous signal from the reed sensorover several seconds, the microcontroller is programmed to disable thefunction of all optical and electronic elements and put them into the“sleep” mode. Therefore, having plastic strip 155 in place, puts theentire electronics of control module 25 into the “sleep” mode and savesbatteries. This is used during storage and shipping. Plastic strip 155is removed by pulling it off upon installation, which enables movementof button 156 and thus enables manual flush actuation.

The above-described electronic control module is designed for easy andtime-efficient conversion of manual flush valves (such as ROYAL® flushvalves). The entire conversion process takes only few minutes. After thewater supply is closed, the manual handle is removed, and lock ring 17with cover 19 is placed onto manual port 18 (FIG. 2). Then, the originaltop cover is removed from the manual flusher body. Depending on themodel of the manual flusher, the flush valve assembly, including theflexible diaphragm, may also be replaced with diaphragm 50 (and theflushing insert for venting the pilot chamber). Then, the entire cover20, including electronic control module 25 attached to pilot cap 34 arescrewed onto the body 12 using retaining ring 22 acting on threads 23.

Next, plastic strip 155 is removed by pulling action, which causesbutton 156 to pop up and move magnet 181 into the upper position.Therefore, reed sensor 95 no longer registers magnet 181, and themicrocontroller provides a wake-up signal to the individual elements.The water supply can be opened and automatic flusher 10 is ready foroperation. As described above, the sensitivity of the optical sensor maybe adjusted by removing top cover 150 and changing the power of thesource or the sensitivity of the detector while keeping optical window132 in place.

As described above, the batteries in control module 25 may be replacedwithout closing the external water supply. Furthermore, the entirecontrol module 25 may be removed and replaced without closing theexternal water supply. The removed control module 25 can be sent to thefactory for refurbishing, which can even be done by untrained personnel.Furthermore, after closing the external water supply, actuator 40 withpiloting button 38 may be unscrewed from pilot cap 34. A new actuatorand piloting button may be screwed in. The design of actuator 40 andpiloting button 38 provide a reproducible geometry for the plunger-seatarrangement. Thus, this design provides a reliable and easilyserviceable pilot valve.

According to another embodiment, the flush valve assembly includes apiston valve described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,993, which isincorporated by reference. The above-described cover and control unitare also applicable for the piston valve design. Furthermore, theabove-described cover and control unit may also be used as a conversionkit for converting manual flushers or utilizing piston valves toautomatic flushers using the above-described conversion method.

The invention as claimed in the above-captioned application was madepursuant to a joint research agreement, within the meaning of 35 USC§103(c), between Arichell Technologies Inc. and Sloan Valve Company,which agreement was in effect on or before the date the claimedinvention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result ofactivities undertaken within the scope of the joint research agreement.

While the invention has been described with reference to the aboveembodiments, the present invention is by no means limited to theparticular constructions described above and/or shown in the drawings.The present invention also comprises any modifications or equivalentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. An automatic toilet room flush valve, comprising: a valve bodyincluding an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat inside said body; avalve member cooperatively arranged with said valve seat, said valvemember being constructed and arranged to control water flow between saidinlet and said outlet, movement of said valve member between open andclosed positions being controlled by water pressure inside a pilotchamber; and an external cover defining a cavity designed for enclosinga battery, a sensor and an actuator for controlling operation of saidflush valve. 2-8. (canceled)
 9. The flush valve of claim 1 wherein saidcover includes a button constructed to move between upper and lowerpositions and designed for manually triggering a flush cycle when pushedto said lower position by activation of a reed sensor.
 10. The flushvalve of claim 1 wherein said valve member includes a piston.
 11. Theflush valve of claim 1 wherein said valve member includes a flexiblediaphragm.
 12. The flush valve of claim 11 wherein said flexiblediaphragm includes a centrally located passage connecting said reliefpassage and said outlet, said flexible diaphragm being retained withrespect to said valve body by a pressure cap defining said pilotchamber.
 13. An automatic toilet room flush valve, comprising: a valvebody including an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat inside said body;a valve member cooperatively arranged with said valve seat, said valvemember being constructed and arranged to control water flow between saidinlet and said outlet, movement of said valve member between open andclosed positions being controlled by water pressure inside a pilotchamber; and an external cover defining a cavity designed for enclosinga battery, a sensor and an actuator for controlling operation of saidflush valve, said external cover including a main cover body, a frontcover and a top cover. 14-15. (canceled)
 16. The flush valve of claim 13wherein said top cover is removable while maintaining said front coverincluding a sensor window located in place with respect to said maincover body.
 17. The flush valve of claim 16 wherein said sensor is anoptical sensor and said sensor window in an optical window.
 18. Theflush valve of claim 17 further constructed to adjust detectionsensitivity of said sensor while maintaining said optical window locatedon said main cover body.
 19. The flush valve of claim 13 wherein saidtop cover includes at least one side surface designed for facilitatingremoval of said top cover.
 20. The flush valve of claim 13 wherein saidtop cover is attached with respect to said valve body using at least onescrew.
 21. The flush valve of claim 20 wherein tightening of said atleast one screw attaches said main cover body, said front cover, andsaid top cover to a pilot cap defining said pilot chamber and beingattached to said valve body.
 22. The flush valve of claim 13 whereinsaid external cover includes a vent passage for venting water frominside of said external cover. 23-25. (canceled)
 26. An automatic toiletroom flush valve, comprising: a valve body including an inlet and anoutlet and a valve seat inside said body; a valve member cooperativelyarranged with said valve seat, said valve member being constructed andarranged to control water flow between said inlet and said outlet,movement of said valve member between open and closed positions beingcontrolled by water pressure inside a pilot chamber; an external coverdefining a cavity and including an optical window; an actuator forcontrolling operation of said valve member; and a plastic housinglocated inside said external cover constructed to enclose an electroniccontrol module, a battery and an optical sensor in a sealed arrangement;and a reed sensor being located inside said electronic control module.27. The flush valve of claim 26 wherein said plastic housing locatedinside said external cover is cooperatively arranged with said externalcover to be attachable and removable relative to said valve bodytogether with said external cover without closing said water supply. 28.The flush valve of claim 26 wherein said external cover includes a mainbody part and another removable part constructed and arranged to beremoved without affecting water pressure in said pilot chamber.
 29. Theflush valve of claim 26 wherein said optical sensor located within saidplastic housing is geometrically aligned with said optical window. 30.The flush valve of claim 29 wherein said external cover includes a mainbody part including a divider element for dividing said optical windowinto two parts.
 31. The automatic flush valve of claim 27 wherein saidoptical sensor includes a presence sensor.
 32. The automatic flush valveof claim 27 wherein said optical sensor includes a motion sensor. 33.The automatic flush valve of claim 27 wherein said sensor includes aninfrared sensor.